The 43-year-old who was related to Sasikumar, committed suicide at his apartment complex in Arcot Road, Valasaravakkam allegedly following a threat from financier from whom he had borrowed money on interest.

Police have booked the film financier Anbu Chezian on the charges of abetment of suicide. Ashok left behind a suicide note mentioning the film financier Anbu Chezian’s name, holding him responsible for his death.

He had further claimed that it was a big mistake to have associated himself with the financier for more than seven years and that he had paid exorbitant interest on the loans. For the past six months, he was harassed and threatened by the financier, who claimed to have political clout and also was influential in the police and film circuit.

Ashok Kumar’s body was moved to the Government Royapettah Hospital for autopsy. Meanwhile, Sasikumar filed a complaint with the Valasaravakkam police against the Madurai-based film financier.

The film financier mentioned in the suicide note was arrested earlier by the police on charges of usury.